St. Landry democrat., 1887-08-27

|
ing that it had drunk frequently. A
further night was no more successful, and
bad weather and fatigue compelled me to
return to Algiers
1--WE were dining at eight o'clock on
the eve of the hunt, when an Arab came
in hot haste to tell US that the panther
had that very day at sunset carried off a
i goat close by under the nose of the shep-
herd, and that the animal had been seen
to disappear in ravine. | did not stop
to finish my dinner, but, although the
night was dark and unfavorable at once
| prepared to set off. The Arab who I'M
dertook to show me the way took short
cut through the brushwood. My hunt
ingknife was in the way, and in order to
rid myself of it | adjusted it nearer my
waist having the slip holding it behind
me. | name this circumstance as it will
he seen thereby saved my life. On ar
irving at the Arab dOuar near the ravine,
the Arabs conducted me to a spot about
400 yards off, on the edge of broad and
deep gorge, saying, The panther is
in the gorge. Wait here, and you will
be sure to see her They chose a little
group of bushes exactly suited to my
purpose, and | placed myself, having the
ravne at my back. The Arabs then
placed a goat about six yards off and
left me, wishing me good luck. A few
minutes had hardly elapsed; | had just
seated myself in my little thicket, and
had not as yet placed my hunting knife
near me. | was putting back some
branches that hindered the free move
ment of my arms, when, swifter than
cannon-ball, the panther had sprung
upon the goat, killing it instantaneOusly.
held my breath, waiting for ray of
moonlight to permit of an aim, cloud
just obscuring the moon, when what was
my establishment to see the panther,
carrying the goat nimbly as cat with a
mouse in its mouth, passing before me
only three yards off, and directly oppo
site.
The recollection of my nights
spent to no purpose flashes across
me; in moment of anger, and
forgetting all my VOWS of prudence,
fire at the huge mass close at hand. The
animal fell, uttering fearful roars. |
had broken his two fore-paws. The
slightest movement on my part must
now attract its attention and prove my
destruction. Prudence enjoined the
most absolute silence and mOtiOnless-
ness, but, fearing a surprise, and wishing
TO be able to fire second time, never
theless rise a little. In doing so, the
hood of my burnouse is caught in
branch and dragged on to my shoulder.
This was another providential circum-
stance to which owe my life At the
slight rustling of the branches the animal
became perfectly still. Hearing nothing,
seeing nothing, suppose him to be dead.
Now bending down and moving with the
utmost precaution, am about to quit my
hidingplace, still having my hand on the
trigger, when the panther perceives me
and springs. lire, but the rapidity ofthe
movement and the darkness make me
miss aim. My ball enters the ground,
Just grazing the animals neck, and,
more furious than before, he rushes
upon me, hurting me down as if he
were a steam engine. | fall under
meath him, being on my back, and
having my elbows in the bushes, which
had served as my hiding-place. The
panther now tries to throttle me, but
fortunately my throat is we'll protected
by the thick collar of my coat, and also
by the hood of the burnouse that had
fallen, as | have before mentioned.
With my left hand | try to force
back the animal, whilst with my right
| make desperate efforts to get at
my hunting knife. My right hand is
mangled, but is partly protected by the
sleeve Of my coat; my face also. Find
;ng that cannot get at my knife, | now
fasten both my hands round the animals
throat, trying to free myself that way.
For moment my head is in his jaws; !
smell his horrid breath. Then putting
I'll the strength that remains into the
nal effort compel him to free me. My
eft arm is now attacked, and, but for the
thick coverings, would have been crushed
like glass All this time am on my
back, and the panther is uttering fearful
bowls. He now tries again to get my
head into his jaws, breaking my jaws, my
cheek bone, crushing, as it seemed, my
head. | resist as well as l can. and
at last, for second time, free myself this
time pushing him so vigorously that the
animal, unable to use his fore-paws, rolls
over to the bottom of the Eavine. De-
livered at last, and not a moment too
soon, I rose, not as vet knowing what
had become of the enemy. At this juno
ture the Arabs came up, having heard the
ill all was perfectly still The cries of
the panther nad frightened tne1r Cattle
and sheep, which rushed about not know
ing where to hide themselves. The
Arabs would have carried me to their
louar and dressed my wounds there,
but l insisted on being taken to the
French farm at Corso, which | had quit
ted a few hours ago safe and sound, re-
turning more dead than alive
NJ. Bombonnel was terribly damaged
in this encounter, having received twenty
seven wounds, most of them of very
serious nature, and three of his teeth
were knocked out.
TOO MUCH EMPHASIS.
His Side Remark Was just What the Priest
Did Hear.